Several years ago I thought about rolling my IRA into a Self Directed IRA because I had heard you could use your IRA to invest in real estate.   I put that idea on the shelf since my IRA fund was doing fine.  Yesterday I revisited the idea when I found information on the National Association of Financial & Estate Planning (NAFEP) web site that could help some of us who are losing money in our 401(k) and IRA plans.   I suggest you also look at other sources of information about Self Directed investments but NAFEP is a good starting point.

Since the cost of real estate is very low and many retirement plans have suffered losses it may be time to think outside the box:

Self Directed 401(k) offers a wider range of investment choices which includes tax free real estate investing. You become the Trustee of your fund and you self direct investments on behalf of your 401(k);

Self Directed IRA offers a wider range of investment choices which includes income and tax deferral for growth on investments.  Direct ownership and checkbook control of all plan assests and monies plus capital gains deferral;

I also want to mention there is a plan called Self Directed Installment Sale for selling real estate, a business, or assets from a C or S Corporation. 

All of the above plans involve setting up a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) which is really very simple. A search in your State's official web site may bring up an on-line application.  If not look for information where to file the articles of incorporation.  There are also places that will help you get the paperwork done and filed.  On the NAFEP web site for the Self Directed 401(k) they will create an LLC or C-Corp for you.  

Even though you can not simply create an LLC and roll you IRA into or 401(k) into a bank account you've created.  The process does not involve much more effort.  In the case of the IRA you will need to find a company which is approved as a custodian for Self Directed IRA accounts.  Shop around on the web by using "Google" search.